Yay! It’s a First Friday Giveaway!

Pete the Cat is back!Yes, this easy-going furball is once again part of our monthly first Friday giveaway. I mean who can resist Pete the Cat? Along with an adorable plush Pete, this giveaway includes a compilation storybook featuring three of the feline’s adventures and a Mailbox tote stuffed with a fun assortment of books and back-to-school surprises. If you’d like to enter for a chance to win this “purr-fectly paw-some” prize,just leave your answer to the following question right here on the blog no later than Sunday, August 12, 2018.

When did you know you wanted to become a teacher?

I forecasted my future in third grade, however, I was a sophomore in college before I knew for sure!

Diane

Congratulations to Kim B. of Spark, Nevada, the winner of this month’s First Friday Giveaway!

I had a wonderful 4th grade teacher. When it was time to apply to college, I knew I wanted to be a teacher just like her! I now teach 4K, instead of 4th grade, and would love the Pete the Cat giveaway!

Teaching in an official way kind of fell on me as the stay at home parent to a kid who didn’t mesh with public school. I already enjoyed teaching my kids about the world, it just expanded this mutual love of learning in our house. This fall I’ll have 3 students plus a toddler, all who love Pete the Cat!

It started when I was 6, showing another child how to fold, score, and tear paper instead of using scissors.
I received BFA and an MFA and started teaching Adult Ed and College, Years later I decided to teach Special Ed elementary school.

My father was a principal, so I would visit classrooms and watch lessons on days that I was off and they had school. I also helped prepare classrooms for September during the summer. It was something I had been a part of my whole life. It just seemed natural.

I loved babysitting, I loved working at a daycare when I was 17, I enjoyed kids. But when did I know I wanted to be a teacher? I knew I did not want to be a doctor. Fireman and lawyer sounded good to me as a HS senior. Now, I was headed to college and mom wanted me to become a teacher…At UCR, I was positive doctoring was not for me, most of my dorm mates were pre-med. I started tutoring and working in the library. So then reference librarian started to sound good. Still enjoyed working with kids. Then I was a senior, time to commit, and I chose teacher credential. A year later I was in the classroom. I loved working with kids. I was a teacher. Finally, 34 years later I know I chose well. Somewhere along the way I knew I wanted to be a teacher.

I didn’t know until I started college! I went on thinking I wanted to be s child psychologist but after my first psychology class I switched my major to child development and began my path towards teaching.

I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was about 7 years old. I noticed that the students with special needs had their classes in a different part of the school and I knew that I wanted to change that.

After I had children, and my son had a teacher, that obviously didn’t want to be in the classroom. I decided then to return to school at the age of 37. I have since graduated and will be teaching my first full year!!

I was 21 and had been through three colleges and countless majors. I worked at a summer program for our local Parks & Recreation and found my passion. I have now been an Early Childhood Educator for 17 years!

I lived next door to my great aunt and uncle as a child. They had a small two-step stoop on a back door of their house. My sister and I would sit and play school with our stuffed animals and dolls. Coincidentally we both became teachers years later!.

I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was working a before and after school program and a summer camp program with kids ranging from kindergarten to 6th grade. The kids I worked with made me realize that I wanted to help prepare kids to meet their goals and reach their full potential and I never looked back since!

While I was in college, I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was working a before and after school program and a summer camp program with kids ranging from kindergarten to 6th grade. The kids I worked with made me realize that I wanted to help prepare kids to meet their goals and reach their full potential and I never looked back since!

I knew I wanted to become a teacher in pre-school. It’s so funny because I discovered a book I made and it had the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I replied a teacher and 22 years here I am.

I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was 15. I was taking a class and as part of the class I had to observe in a preschool classroom. Seeing the teacher, Miss Val, work with the students and how much the kids enjoyed learning made me want to do that too!

I volunteered at a Sudanese Refugee school in Cairo one summer- I absolutely loved it!!! 16 years later and I’m teaching Pre-K in a British School and leading the entire Early Years Department! Loving life!????????????????????

I always had a compassionate side, even when I was little. When all my friends were hanging out I chose to babysit my little cousins. When I was 18, right after high school I applied for a job with an after school program. I worked there for 2 as a couple teacher for kindergartners. I loved being able to work with students and getting them excited about learning even after having been at school all day. I now get to have my own kindergarten classroom and fullfill my dream of bringing passion for learning back into the classroom

I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I went to kindergarten. I had a wonderful teacher who inspired me for the rest of my schooling. It also helped that my dad is a teacher, so I saw the work it took from an early age.

I began to say I wanted to be a teacher in kinder, but I put it into action when I started tutoring the newcomer students in fourth and fifth grade. This Pete the Cat package would be great with my first graders!

I have always wanted to be a teacher, and it never changed. When I was young I had a classroom full of stuffed animals; we went on field trips (outside), I took them to the library (my bookshelf) and they checked out books with the library card I made them, I read them books, and taught them lessons. There’s never been anything else I’ve wanted to do!

The child in me has never really grown up. I just love working with children because I love the point of view of the world they still hold. Everyday is always a new discovery. Being a preschool teacher just comes natural for me and I feel very fulfilled knowing I am helping our society and future.

I’ve always known I wanted to be a teacher. My mom is a teacher and taught Kindergarten for awhile , especially when I was little, and I liked to imitate her. I have just always loved working and being with young children and have wanted to teach them.

I know I will become when I was in first grade and I saw my teacher helping everyone to learn! I knew this is what I wanted. As I grow older, it b came so obvious that I enjoy kids company and I like the spark in their eyes once they understand something! This is how I decided to become a PreK teacher 🙂

The story goes, the first day of kindergarten I came home and told my mom I wanted to be a teacher. In high school I thought it was dumb to only have 1 goal in mind but I always came back to teacher. Here I am now and loving every minute of it!

First Grade was such a fun and exciting year for me! That is what made me have the drive to want to become a teacher. I had the BEST teacher that year. Mrs. Mitchell inspired me to be and educator. She was so energetic, kind. and always willing to help and go that extra mile for anyone and anything. As I continued my education I-kept coming back to her. A teacher is what Ihad always wanted to be and hoped that I could be half the teacher Mrs. Mitchell was for me.

When I was in high school I was in an Early Childhood trade program. I spent three days owr week in the program and two days at my high school. During those two days I worked two hours each day in the special education room at the elementary school; I chose this room. I knew then that I wanted to be a special education teacher! Well many years and pumps in the road I have finished my first year in a Masters special education program and have secured my first teaching position in a kindergarten through fifth grade behaviour classroom!!!! While on my journey Pete the Cat has been one of my main go toos working in preschool rooms and life skill programs. I LOVE Pete the Cat!!!

I actually discovered my desire to teach as a profession later in life. I enrolled in college courses at 44! I’ve never looked back. Finished my degree and now do a job that I adore. It’s not about money, glory or power. I teach because I am completely sold on what I am doing. Educating my students it a joy and work of love!

I’ve always wanted to be a teacher! My mom was a teacher, as was my Grandmother. My Grandfather was a high school principal. It’s in the blood!!! I have loved teaching my “Firsties” for over 25 years now, and look forward to each new batch!!

One of my younger sisters was born with many health issues and multiple handicaps (blind, cleft lip & palette, needed a shunt due to extra fluid on her brain). She never walked, talked but was so lovable. This was 1972 & all almost all of her doctors told my parents to institutionalize her, except one doctor who said “you could take her home and love her”. That’s what my parents did. She never attended school in her 18 years of life, but received homebound instruction from 2 different dedicated teachers for 16 years (starting when she was two). At 10 years old until I graduated, I would help my sister’s teacher work on her grasp, roll over, and experience sensory input (put fingers in a rice tray). After I had left home, my other sisters took over helping the homebound teacher. This service became so innate in us, it only seemed natural that we grew to be a Special Ed teacher, an occupational therapy assistant, and care staffperson at a residential home for adults with neuromuscular disabilities. Our sister, Sharon, was our best teacher. We’re just following her example.

I have known that I wanted to be a teacher since I was five years old. I have always “loved playing school and being the teacher”. This is my 27th year working in the field of early childhood education.

When I was a little girl, all my friends wanted to grow up and be teachers, but not me. I wanted to be a spy. As I progressed through school, I was told that I could be anything that I wanted to be. I had an aptitude for science and math so I was encouraged to be an engineer. I was the only female in several of my classes but that didn’t bother me. I got my engineering degree, got an engineering job, got married, and soon became pregnant. Since we were both engineers working long hours, we decided that it would be best if I stayed home to raise my daughter. I immersed myself in the role and read many books on parenting. As she grew, others asked me to watch their children because of how good I was with my daughter. Then, they asked me to teach children at church. I found out that I was good at it and I enjoyed it. I got a job as an assistant in a preschool. Again, I was asked to teach because of how well the children responded to me. I have been teaching preschool for 18 years and I am so much happier than I ever was as an engineer.

I have wanted to be a teacher since preschool! I’ve always loved school and learning. I used to come home from kindergarten and “teach” my baby brother, and I would always bring my teachers’ left over worksheets home at the end of the school year to “teach” over the summer!

When I was about 8 years old, I wrote an essay about what I wanted to become as an adult. I thought I’d be a 1st grade teacher. I even specified why I thought first grade was the best. I am now a preschool teacher.

My grandparents picked up some old textbooks at a garage sale and i used them to play school with my younger brother and sister. 😉 People have always told me that I would be a great teacher, but I didn’t feel that was the best choice for me. I ended up changing my major several times in college, graduating with an unrelated degree, and staying home with my daughter until she started school. When I went back to work I wanted to do something that I was passionate about. I worked as an aide at my daughter’s school and decided it was time to get my teachng degree. I found a program that built into the degree that I had and the rest was history. I feel like it has been a lifelong journey, but it has made me an even better teacher!

Coming from a family of teachers, it was not surprising that I decided to follow their footsteps. However, I needed a little extra time to finally figure out it was the right fit for me. I went back to school after I had my own children and found that I really enjoyed working with the little children.

I wanted to be a teacher like my Aunt Jana. I have always enjoyed being around kids. I was a Sunday School and VBS teacher at a young age and my first jobs were working at day cares. I never considered another occupation, I knew I was called to teach. I will begin my 24th year soon. My pre-k class would love this Pete the Cat give away!

Honestly, it was late in life. When I was in elementary school I wanted to be a princess lawyer; then in college I thought about social work or archaeology or art historian (random, I know). Eventually I settled on wife and mom, but when my oldest son was in elementary school, we made the decision to homeschool him for several years and then I realized that was the direction I needed to go. I haven’t looked back and absolutely love my job teaching.

Ever since I was in 2nd grade and had a wonderful teacher named Ms. Mebs. Went from babysitting in high school to working in daycare centers while in college to owning my own daycare, and back to school ( masters degree) to become a school librarian.

Starting at age 13, I was the neighborhood babysitter. I always enjoyed it and thought maybe I would be a teacher one day. Then at age 16 I started working in a retirement home serving dinner to the elderly. I quickly realized that working with the elderly is similar to working with young children. I came to the realization that I would rather be a teacher and work with children.

It’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to be. My calling was solidified as a teenager when I helped with a smaller kids class at my church’s vacation bible school. Kids have always been drawn too me, and I love working with them.

When I was maybe 7 or 8 and I would make my younger brothers play school with me. I am starting my 31st year of teaching and have been in education my whole life except for the first 5 years of my life. I still get excited about school starting!!!

I remember creating homework sheets and grading papers when I was probably 8 or 9. I’d line up my dolls and action figures to teach adding on the easel. It’s pretty cool that I see my kiddos doing the same thing!

After I lost my daughter at the age of 4 in a house fire. I then realized that working with children around her age eased the pain in my heart a little more each day. I still miss her and think about how she would react with the children in my classroom. The kids are very sensitive and ask questions when I talk about her or show them her picture. The funny thing about my teaching and where I am teaching is that the teacher next door to my class is the same teacher that taught my daughter in Head Start and my bosses Mom taught my daughter in Sunday school.

My mother always told me I should be a teacher. It took me until the age of 40 to admit that she was right. So I earned an MEd and taught for over 20 years. Loved (almost) every minute of it! What a thrill to share the times when the lightbulbs lit up! What a joy to share those moments.

When I was 6. My cousin asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I first said, “A Sunday School Teacher” but then changed it to a teacher when they explained you didn’t get paid to be a Sunday School teacher.

Looking back at pictures from my childhood, it looks like I have always wanted to be a teacher. However, it wasn’t until I began subbing while in college that I actually realized how much I wanted to be a teacher/librarian and began pursuing my dreams.

I was under pressure to declare a major. As I was finding my way, I helped my stepdad get ready for another year of school. I had the thought, “I could do this.” I went with it. I was nineteen and a sophomore. I have now taught 32 years.

When I was in kindergarten, I realized that I wanted to be a teacher! I come from a line of teachers, from grandparent, parents, and sisters – we all went into the field! I can’t imagine doing anything else!

I knew during my first grade year. My teach was my stable constant in my life during this time. She instilled in me the love of learning . I loved when she would take out a story book and read to us. I wanted to be just like her.

I actually started college as a criminal justice major and quickly realized it wasn’t for me. I visited the lab school on my campus and immediately knew I wanted to work with children. Wouldn’t change that decision ever.

I volunteered in a first grade classroom with a wonderful teacher my senior year in high school. There were so many teachers that influenced me over the years, and I had an interest in EVERYTHING so it just made sense!

I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was raising my own and had a home childcare. I wanted to know more and how to be better. How to give them their best start. When you know better you do better, right? I loved student teaching in 2nd and moved to school age from there. I found so much to learn! And I’m still learning, every day.

I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was five years old. I would teach my Barbies, my stuffed animals, practically anyone that would sit still and listen! 18 years of teaching later, it’s still the best decision I ever made!

Since I remember, I had a kindergarten teacher that I really appreciated a lot and I would always think about wanting to be like her. So here I am with 15 years of experience with those little mines that I love to work with every day ????

When I was in middle school. Some of the teachers didn’t want to work with the students who needed extra help. (That was me) So I promised myself I would be a teacher for children who need that extra love and help.

Since I was little I remember taking spelling tests for each stuffed animal then happily grading them as if I didn’t know the outcome…. The outcome depended on whether brown bear was having a bad morning or if Shamu had done his homework. My imagination was vivid but always focused on the idea of schook, learning, and most importantly being a teacher.

In 3rd grade we had a long term sub who taught us from October through the end of that school year. That substitute teacher saw something in me and chose me to help a class on kindergarten students once a week. I helped them find books and even read to them. From that moment I knew I wanted to be a teacher! I’m entering my 15th year of teaching this year and still love reading stories to my students and helping them discover books they will fall in love with!

I knew I wanted to become a teacher my sophomore year of high school. My algebra teacher Mrs. Edwards did such a great job teaching math. She was able to help me love math. I wanted to be able to Foster this love of math for others. I figured starting at a young age children can learn to love math. I am now a preschool teacher and I am always giving the children items to count and encouraging number recognition.

When I was in middle school I talked about being a teacher but influential relatives told me I was “too smart to be a teacher.” I went on to become an engineer and pretty much hated it. When my youngest child was in first grade, I began to substitute teach and told my husband I was amazed that people could actually have a career they loved. He encouraged me to go to grad school and now I am living a dream come true!

I loved school as a kid but had no intention of becoming a teacher until my daughter went to kindergarten. I volunteered in her elementary school and when a position opened for a teacher assistant, I took it. Still, I didn’t want the responsibility of being “the teacher” and working in education was just “for now”. About 3 years into being a TA, I realized that I loved helping people love learning as much as I do. I wanted my own classroom!! Went back to school and have been living and loving the teaching life–problems, hard days, great challenges and all–ever since.

I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I “played” school with all my neighborhood friends. I didn’t originally take that career path growing up, but I did finally come to become a teacher. I love teaching preschool and preparing the children for a Kindergarten.

I had always enjoyed working with children but I needed a part time job while I was in college and I signed up to sub. It was after being in a classroom that I realized I wanted teaching to be my career. That was 37 years ago!

My parents adopted 3 babies with Downs Syndrome. When I was old enough to see what my parents went through to make sure they were able to get to their full potential, I decided I wanted to work with special needs children.

My mom used to say that I was born to be a teacher. I taught neighborhood kids to read, I played school in my room until I was in high school. My aunt is a teacher, and she gave me her old plan books and grade books with the last couple pages left. Oh how I loved it! Now I’m a preschool teacher after starting out as a music teacher. My mom was right, by the way. ????

I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was a little girl. My grandma and I would always play teacher together. We would go to the dollar store and pick out notebooks and number and alphabet tracing activities together we would spend our time taking turns on being a teacher. Thanks gram I absolutely love what I do. It’s such a rewarding job

I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was in high school. I got to take a college course and got to have the opportunity to observe in a 1st grade classroom. I helped the teacher and the students. I remembered what an impact my 3rd grade teacher made in my life.

When I was about 4/5 years old, I would take my dolls/stuffed animals out to the backyard, place inside a quilt clothesline tent that my mom put up for me to play school. Also in the tent there was also a 4ft x 2ft piece of black chalkboard slate with a piece of chalk that I would write my name, numbers and letters for my “students”. I still have the slate and some of those “students”!

During my senior year of high school I had an amazing chemistry teacher who went above and beyond to help me succeed in her class. I struggled terribly with her class, but she believed that I could do it so she tutored me nearly every day during her lunch break. It paid off becuase I ended up with an A in her class, which I never thought was possible! I was so inspired by her kindness and willingness to do whatever it took to help me succeed. It was becuase of her that I knew I wanted to go into teaching and make a difference for children like she did for me 🙂

I told my mom I wanted to be a teacher when I was 5 years old! She wrote it in my baby book. I even saved my books as a child to read to my future classes. Fast forward to today: I’ve been a teacher for over 20 years!

I started babysitting when I was about 15 and absolutely fell in love with helping children learn and grow! I have now gotten my masters degree in early childhood special education and am loving teaching my PK babes!

When I was a kid I wanted to be a teacher during the school year and a trapeze artist for the circus during the summer. I had it all worked out. I ended up getting distracted and dissuaded and went to business college instead. Ten years and a downsizing layoff later and I realized sometimes your childhood dreams are the ones you should have followed in the first place. I went back to school for teaching and have been working in education for the last 7 years.

In college, I made the decision my junior year after being an accounting major. Although when I think back to my childhood everything lead to me being a special education teacher it just took me a while to figure it out. After 18 years I still love teaching special education. It is definitely my calling.

I wanted to become a teacher because my grandmother was a teacher. So was my dad, my aunt, and an uncle, but there was always this connection between me and my grandmother. She taught 3rd grade but I have always wanted to teach kindergarten. Until I met my two-year-olds. LOL! I teach prek now and I LOVE it!

I first knew I wanted to be a teacher in high school when an English teacher I respected and liked told me I wrote well. She asked me about my plans after graduation and said she thought I would be a good teacher. My family thought I would major in music and become a music teacher, but I chose reading as my minor. I never regretted it, and I have taught music for years as well!

In second grade when my teacher kept telling me what a great teacher I will make, let me help with silly tasks, and gave confidence back to me after having to repeat first grade. Thinking was there before that, but that is the first time I remember true faith in the possibility.

When I was in fourth grade my mom went back to school to get her teaching certification. I was intrigued by her preparation for her classes and her passion for becoming a teacher. This was a huge influence on me. Thanks mom.

At four or five years old I use to line my baby dolls up on the fireplace and teach them school. I would give them worksheets to do; well I kind of did then worksheets for them and pretended that they we’re done by the dolls. ????. Teaching has always been in my blood and I charish being able to influence the next generation in a positive way.

I was about 5 years when I decided I wanted to be a teacher. My Maternal Grandparents were from Czechoslovakia and my grandfather was teaching me and my brother George Slovak. I would also read to my Grandma to help her learn more English words. We had Slovak school everyday. I enjoyed playing school with Grandpa so much old and told him I was going to be teacher when I grew up.

I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I started teaching swim lesson while in high school. Seeing kids go from being terrified of the water to swimming across the pool with confidence was the most rewarding experience ever.

I had thought about teaching but it was when my daughter turned 3 and I saw the excitement of sharing things with her for the first time and seeing her eyes light up made me realize I wanted to do this same thing over and over with lots of children. Teach them, inspire them, make them laugh and see the world through their eyes!

It was in first grade I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I was the teacher’s pet and would do any extra chores for her. When I had to clap the chalk erasers outside (that is how long ago this was), I told her that I did not mind clapping the erasers because I was going to be paid to do that in the future! I kept in touch with my 1st grade teacher who inspired me to become an educator. I have been teaching SPED children for over 36 years now and still enjoy getting up in the morning to go to school. I am changing the future, one child at a time!

I knew when I was in kindergarten I wanted to be a teacher. My kindergarten teacher was a person that I admired and she made learning fun and interesting. In a full circle moment, when I did my internship I was lucky enough to work with her. To this day, she still inspires me to reach for the stars.

I did not want to grow to be a teacher, but I played school teacher with my brothers since I learned to read in Kindergarten. After failing to succeed in Nursing school I took career interest survey at the local Community College in 1985 which showed teaching is my thing. I am a fifth generation teacher from Vermont. I fact 90 years after my great grandmother graduated, I graduated from the same college (though the name of the college had changed). Currently, I am in Arizona after moving kit and kaboodle (and 2000 kid books in a UHaul) teaching reading. This year I am expanding to the middle school as well as the elementary school. Yay for teaching.

it seems that all my youth I wanted to be a teacher, but it wasn’t until I was in highschool and became a Sunday school teacher that I knew this is what I really wanted to be. I had a student and he was crying, and since I was just sixteen I looked at my mentor to help me. She said for me to try and calm him down. So I spoke o him and he said that his father was in a really bad accident, that the cops were there and he was going to die in the hospital. He had lost his mother the year before, so he was really worried. After that story so was I. So I thought about what I was going to say. I told him that my dad had to get some surgery to the back of his head and he was in the hospital for a week. My mother had kidney issues and had to be in the hospital for forty days. I cut my finger and was in the hospital for a couple of hours. I said everyone goes in for different reasons and times but they do come out. He felt better and stopped crying and finished his art project. I prayed so hard that his dad would come out of this ok. His dad is great and made it though.

In 3rd grade my teacher, Mrs. Green, took the time to listen to every problem I brought to school with me. She made me want to be like her. I spent the rest of my schooling learning about being a teacher. I wasn’t the best student, but I always tried my hardest. I have always loved being in school, and spending time with little ones. I’ve known I wanted to teach since I was 8 years old, and I’ve never stopped improving.

When I saw the difference teachers were making for students and their families in my neighborhood of single parent homes and low income households. I often only ate because my teacher sent home “recipes” for her students to try (Bags of staples with simple recipe cards included.) I wanted to be that person for someone else one day.

I actually completed 4 years of college, received 2 degrees in Psychology and Sociology, and got hired as a caseworker before I felt the call to teach. I learned through my cases that primary intervention is the key. I felt compelled to teach little ones how to break the system by falling in love with education. I went back to school 2 more years to get certified and have been a happy early childhood teacher for over 30 years. I feel as though I have made a lot of difference in the lives of my former students. Now I am an educator at our local public library. I continue to teach birth through college programs throughout the year. I now have children of former students in the library programs. It’s the best feeling in the world to see these former students out of the system.

When I was a little girl I would line up all my babies and play teacher with them. As a young girl the only thing I can remember wanting to be was a teacher. As I grew older my career took a different path. I found myself in a job that left me feeling mentally emotionally and physically exhausted. I felt stressed and no joy. When I gave my resignation and my boss looked me in my face and said to me ” You will never make a difference if you leave this job” that was the moment I knew. I knew she was so wrong. What better way can you make a difference than touching little lives. I love my preschoolers. They and I love Pete The Cat! <3

After I became a mother myself, I was in awe when I watched my son discover the world around him and how fast he was learning and growing. I knew that I wanted to be a positive influence in his life as while as other children to help them to discover themselves and be the best they can be.

I knew as long as far back as I can remember. My grandmother was a teacher and I really looked up to her. Used to play school with my siblings and my mothers daycare kids. Wanted to be an elementary school teacher, but life took me on the path of teaching preschool and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

While babysitting around age 12, I just knew I liked kids. Senior year in high school I did an internship in a kindergarten classroom and was sure this was the future for me. I always knew I wanted. Early childhood vs older students, so I ended up in preschool in the end.

I knew I wanted to become a teacher when I was 5 years old. I’ve always wanted to do something to change the world. At first I wanted to become a doctor, but I realized that I couldn’t bear to see people in pain. Then I wanted to become a singer and actress to make money to donate to charities, but I knew that reaching fame was unlikely. My love for learning and watching others grow has been ingrained into my heart, and for the last 10 years, I have been working with children. I graduate in May and will have my teaching license come next August, and I can honestly say I’ve never been more excited.

I knew I wanted to teach when I was in Kindergarten. I had a wonderful teacher for PreK then again for K. They inspired me at such a young age. I’m about to be in my third year of teaching and I’m still in disbelief that I have reached my goals!

My sister and I always played school when we were little. As I got older, I babysat all the time and really enjoyed it. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher!! I now enjoy teaching my own littles as well and one of their favorite things to do together is play school!

I remember always playing school when I was little. I loved pretending to be a teacher when I was in first grade and rememer telling my mother that I was going to be a teacher when I grew up. I always wanted to play school.

When I was 10 years old and my baby sister was born. Helping her grow and learn was what kept me grounded in all areas of my life despite a rough childhood. I now teach kids with Autism using DTI and NET techniques.

I knew I wanted to teach since 3rd grade. I used to play school when I got home with my dolls and stuffed animals. This year will be my 31st year. I can’t wait to meet my new five year old little friends! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

When I was probably 4 or 5 I would line up my stuffed animals and hold class. Always wanted to be a teacher but it took me until I was 33 to actually get the degree. When I went to college the first time I listened to my dad and went into business. Wasn’t for me. After I had my boys I went to work at their school as an aide and fell in love with teaching ????. Me we too late to pursue your dreams.

I had teachers in high school tell me that I would be a great teacher but I dismissed the idea. When I was 28 I decided that I wanted to sub at our local school district to earn a some extra money for our family. After doing this for a little while I realized my teachers saw something in me that I then saw. I started school and continued to sub when I was available. I think that this also gave me idea of the area and age of the students that I was most interested in working with.

My father said he knew I would be a teacher when even as a toddler I pointed out book pictures to explain to my baby brother. When I was in first grade I came home every day and taught that same brother what I had learned. (He ended up skipping first grade!) After 46 years as an educator, I still teach part-time and love it!!!

When I was younger it was always my go to answer when someone would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up. But, I didn’t really realize it until my own son was diagnosed with a learn disability that really summed it up for me. I wanted to be be there for other parents like me that didn’t really understand the process of Special Education and their rights.

When I returned to college the second time, I went into elementary education and started acing my exams and loved what I was doing. I think that was around age 21! I now have 1 year of experience and getting ready to homeschool my two daughters.

I have always been a teacher. I was a teacher to my younger siblings and cousins. I helped my mom with her daycare and then when she got a job out of home I helped with a neighbors daycare. I was always asked to be a teacher’s assistant, summer rec teacher and tutor beginning in grade school. In high school I worked as a babysitter and nanny even while I had other employment, because I enjoyed it and was good at it. I went pre-med for 2 years in college before I realized my heart just wasn’t in it and I was meant to be a teacher.

I knew I wanted to become a teacher since I was a little girl playing school with my siblings. also, I was inspired by my teachers to do something that will cause a great impact in someone’s life just as they did mine.

When I was in college as an art student, I started working as a substitute teacher. Later I worked as a Media Specialist Assistant and returned to get my Masters Degree in Library Science. I have been working as a Teaching Librarian for 6 years now.

I was doing work study in a sixth grade classroom while in college. My dreams of being a forensic investigator had just gone out the door after watching a video on Dahmer and realizing I didn’t have the stomach for that kind of work. I’ve never looked back and I love love love my job!

I’ve always loved working with kids. I was a camp counselor in high school and loved it. However, when I went to college, I majored in Psychology. By the end of my sophomore year I knew that wasn’t what I really wanted to do so I switched majors to Elementary Education—17 years later and I have not regrets.

I first decided to be a teacher while working as a Girl Scout leader. I loved how those little minds were so excited to learn new things. When they finally understand and a light bulb went off in their head!!

I worked at varies factory jobs. I hated every minute of them. My middle child has Downs Syndrome. We was advised to put him in a child care center so he could be around other children. We got him in Head Start. While he was in Head Start I would volunteer at his center. I volunteered for a while. They asked me if I wanted to Sub.for them. Of course I said yes, because I loved seeing the children faces smile when I did the little things with them. I started out as a sub. and now I’m a teacher. I love to see the children grow and reach their mile stones.

I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was in first grade and Mrs. Katz was trying soo hard to help me learn how to read a standard clock. I didn’t get it until years later HER lesson sank its and I got it. Mrs Katz was dedicated and caring I hope I will inspire my students too.

During grade school. I was the slow student who was always ridiculed for not understanding and had to sit in the hall because I didn’t get my work done in time. I was always in the slow group. And everyone (teachers and students) knew we were slow and we were teased and ridiculed. I vowed never to have a child feel that way in my class.

When I was in preschool, I never wanted to go in my own class, I’d go in the infant room and play with the babies. (helped that my grandmother owned the preschool.) I played babies ALL the time as a young child, and started working part time when I was a junior in high school at a preschool and am at the same preschool 25+ years later. I wouldn’t trade it for the world!

I knew in fourth grade when I had the best teacher ever! This teacher loved all of us and ALWAYS made each kid beleive they could do and be anything! Then, in high school, my music teacher confirmed it all over again! #blessed

School and learning is life! I used to pretend be a teacher as a little girl and use my teacher voice with my brother. I’ve always knew that’s what I’ve wanted to be. It’s always been in my heart. When I started my student teaching I was so excited and it just confirmed my passion and love for my career.

I thought about it a lot through high school and undergrad; however, everyone told me to do something else because teachers are so undervalued in our society. It wasn’t until after I graduated that I decided I didn’t care! If it’s your calling, it’s your calling.

Since the third grade… when I was in second grade my father went head on with 18-wheeler. After the accident we spent year in very bad and abusive environment, and when left one abuse found self in projects with new abuse… I remember knowing I needed education and school was my escape. I had great teachers and wanted to do that for others.

When asked what I wanted to be when I grow up I would always say, “I don’t know, a teacher I guess”. Declared my major as Interior Design. Realized I really should be a teacher when I was only getting A’s in the classes that corresponded with family and consumer science/early childhood. I fought my calling for so long.

I decided I wanted to become a teacher when I was in third grade. Mrs. Schramm has always been my favorite teacher. Not only did she make learning fun, but she saw potential in me to to excel and believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. So, I wanted to be someone’s “Mrs. Schramm.” Most of teaching is not giving them academics but to believe in themselves. Therefore, I am a reading interventionist and help students in grades kindergarten- fifth grade to get caught up on their reading skills but most importantly that they can do anything if they believe in themselves!

When I was 30 I knew I wanted to be an ESE teacher. Growing up I needed ESE services and it was far and few to get it. I want to make sure kids didn’t have to go through the strugggles I went through. Being an ESE teacher is the most rewarding career!

When I was in elementary school in the 8th grade, I used to get to help in the Kindergarten classroom. I enjoyed interacting and spending them with children. In high school, I was able to take a class that allowed me to work at the elementary school. I wanted to become a teacher or a counselor,

I knew I wanted to be a teacher in fourth grade when I had an amazing teacher who made learning fun through MANY hands-on activities. She was very kind, caring, compassionate and I just LOVE her. She eventually became my boss for a short time and it was a wonderful experience. I strive to emulate her enthusiasm for growing little minds every day.

I have love working with kids since I taught Sunday School. I love the excitement when they begin to read, that I see in there faces. The classes I’ve read to love the beat of Pete The Cat !! They enjoy it immensely.

After receiving my degree in social work and making a decent effort, burn out came quickly. I knew I couldn’t continue with it. I felt I could still “change the world” but do it through education and little ones. Now I’m​ an early childhood educator, and have been with it 18 years now.. still loving it! – Denise

I knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was in the second grade. I always enjoyed helping other children and showing them how to do things. While in the second grade we did an art project where we traced our body and then painted ourselves to look like what we wanted to be when we grew up. I painted myself in a. blouse and skirt with high heals holding a ruler in my hand. I have always enjoyed working with children.

I knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was in the second grade. I always enjoyed helping other children and showing them how to do things. While in the second grade we did an art project where we traced our body and then painted ourselves to look like what we wanted to be when we grew up. I painted myself in a blouse and skirt with high heels holding a ruler in my hand. I have always enjoyed working with children.

I have always had a love for working with little ones. The defining moment came my sophomore year of college when I had to decide 2 more years for a teaching certificate or 6 more for veterinarian. Teaching won, I could never have passed the cadaver dissection. Been teaching ever since.

As a little girl, maybe 8, lining my stuffed animals up in a row to have class. My mom covered a piece of paper with clear contact and stuck it to my closet door so I would have a board to write on with my markers. They were much quieter than my class today, maybe my classroom management is slipping.

I knew I wanted to become a teacher when I started working in the school system 14 years ago as a TA! I knew that I could make a difference and that it was my calling in life. I’ve always loved children and have worked with them since I was young.

I always wanted to be a teacher, but life threw some roadblocks my way in college and I changed to business. I stayed connected by volunteering or helping with childrens activities. Years later I had the opportunity to work at my younger children’s preschool. It was like coming home. I have been there for 14 years and still love it.

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AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: DIANE BADDEN

Diane Badden is a former Mailbox classroom teacher. In her current role as Editor at Large, she shares her insights, knowledge, and enthusiasm for teaching and learning. She’s also the go-to-gal for chocolate!

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: KIM BRUGGER

Kimberly Brugger is a former early childhood teacher and managing editor of The Mailbox® Preschool magazine. As such, she can often be found in her office humming “The Farmer in the Dell” while slinging fingerpaint with crazy enthusiasm.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: KAREN BRUDNAK

Karen is the Managing Editor of Learning Magazine. One of the best parts of her job is getting to play with the many wonderful products available for teachers. She regularly remarks, "Gosh, I wish this had been available when I was in elementary school!" Karen has been with Learning Magazine for more than 15 years.